A Warwick mum who swung into action when the recession hit and launched a new business venture has seen her driving ambition pay off.

Nicola Morley from Beausale set up the Divot Bag Company four years ago, initially more as a hobby.

But during the past year demand for her products has seen her company grow both nationwide and overseas. The 41-year-old now has orders for some 200 golf courses in the UK and Ireland, as well as enquiries across Europe, the USA and Dubai.

Her divot bags provide an easy and cost effective way of reducing divot damage on fairways and are filled with a mixture of soil, sand and seed that members carry around with them on their trolleys.

They are encouraged to divot fill as they play and this system enables them to act alongside the green keeping team for the benefit of their club.

Consequently, it has substantial labour and cost saving benefits in today’s increasingly competitive golf club market - and leaves green keepers free to concentrate on more pressing matters.

Nicola said: “My background is advertising and marketing, but when that industry started to experience a downturn I began looking for something completely different – and my Dad, a keen golfer, mentioned a divot bag system he’d seen that all clubs in South Africa religiously follow. I did some market research which revealed the demand over here, found a quality, reliable manufacturer and screen printer, and quickly built up a loyal customer base amongst green keepers and golf club managers across the UK and Eire.

“There’s a lot of repeat business as divot repair is often last on the list of priorities for busy green keepers, who therefore find it difficult to keep up with the increasing number of divots and the demand for ever improving playing conditions.

“Members seem only too pleased to help keep their course in top class condition, which seems to be the overriding factor in choosing a club now, so everyone’s a winner really, and I’m lucky enough to count some of the top 100 UK and Ireland courses as clients.

“Southern Ireland and Wales particularly lead the way as divot repair on seaside link courses can be especially problematic.”

Nicola’s bags measure nine by seven inches and are sized to hold enough divot mix for a typical round of golf without becoming too heavy.

They are also designed so that the golfer doesn’t handle the divot mix – instead it is simply poured out of the bag.

A club can order between 50 and 200 bags depending on the number of members or visitors. They come in a range of colours and can also be personalised with club logos or even sponsor’s details.

The Divot Bag Company also supplies timber stands that can hold up to 64 bags. They are placed on the approach to the first tee, but can easily be rotated regularly to cover all 18 holes.